The Chinese government has urged Tokyo to "respect the major security concerns of its Asian neighbors" after the Japanese House of Representatives passed new security bills that authorizes it's army to fight abroad for the first time since the end of the Second World War.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said on Thursday that the passing of the security bills "may lead to significant changes in Japan's military and security policies."

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"It is fully justified to ask if Japan is going to give up its exclusively defense-oriented policy or change the path of peaceful development that has long been pursed."

"We solemnly urge the Japanese side to...refrain from jeopardizing China's sovereignty and security interests or crippling regional peace and stability," Hua Chunying stressed in a statement published on China's Foreign Ministry's website.

The new legislation, which would allow Japanese troops to defend other countries under attack, may soon become law after it is passed by the countries lower house.

Both China and South Korea were victims of Japan's military expansion in the 20^th century. The war still affects the way these Asian countries relate to one another today.

Beijing is preparing to celebrate the 70th anniversary of its victory against Japan in September this year. The event has been described as a celebration of "the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War."

The government is preparing a massive military parade during the event. Abe and over 40 other head of states have been invited to the celebrations.

However, Abe is not expected to be present for the ceremony as both countries are still in dispute over the trajectory of Japan's wartime narrative.

Hua Chunying noted that at this moment when the international community is reflective about the war, Japan should learn lessons from its past military activities.

"We solemnly urge the Japanese side to draw hard lessons from history," she said

According to AP, the vote approving the security bills is a victory for Japanese nationalists and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who views the restriction as an impediment intentionally placed in the US-imposed constitution.

According to Bloomberg, the U.S., who has been defending Japan since the end of the war, seeks greater security responsibility for its ally as China develops naval powers.

Many fear that the passing of the bill could lead to an arms race in the region, which would have dire consequences. In recent years, China has increased the level of its military spending and has conducted several drills near Japan.

Wang Xinsheng, a professor of history specializing in Japan and East Asian politics at Peking University, thinks the passing of the security bills "could provide more ammunition to nationalism in both China and Japan, which could hurt the still fragile bilateral ties."

"The new bills could also refresh neighbors' memories of Japan's wartime aggression and spark an arms race in the region," he said.

In May, Chinese army planes flew over the Miyako Strait located between Japan's Miyako and Okinawa Islands for the first time. In 2013, China's navy completed its first circumnavigation of Japan.

Despite the fact that both countries have been involved in a territorial dispute over islands in the East China Sea, their fragile bilateral relationship have been improving.

President Xi Jinping and Abe have met twice already since November. Prior to their meeting, high level discussions between both nations were suspended for two years.

On Thursday, Japan's National Security Advisor Shotaro Yachi had a meeting with China's State Councilor Yang Jiechi in Beijing. Both senior diplomats may have met in preparation for a third meeting between Abe and X,i which could be happen in Beijing this September.

Japan Times has reported that during Yachi's three day visit to China, he would discussion a statement Abe would issue on Aug. 15 - the anniversary of the day Japan surrendered to the Allied Powers.

Japan has never rendered an official apology for the war, which lasted for more than 6 years. China and South Korea have been urging for an apology. However, Abe has only admitted to his country's past crimes against its neighbors.

TagsJapan New Security Legislation, second world war, Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, Japan China War, Japan China Dispute, Japan Second World War China, Japan Second World War Crimes